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, shall be securely locked in the fastener in UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN A. SMITH, JR, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

BUTTON-FASTENER,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 295,951, dated April 1, 1884.

Application filed January 23, I884. (No model.)

To aZZ-whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, FRANKLIN A. SMITH, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Button-Fasteners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdeseription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My present invention relates to an improved fastener for attaching buttons to fabric, and of that class v of cut sheet-metal devices for which Ihave recently made applications; and

my invention consists, essentially, of a fastener cutout of sheet metalof such a form as, when attachedto a button in fabric, that the button such a manner as to render 'it impossible for the fastener to become detached without bending.

To this end my invention consists, practically, of a metal arm, from one edge of which extends a double-curved projection or tongue, both in the same plane, and adapted for use as a button-fastener, as when attached to a button in fabric, as hereinafter described, the fastener will be securely locked therein.

To more clearly illustrate my invention, I refer to the drawings, in which Figure 1 rep resents my improved fastener ready for use. Fig. 2 represents the fastener after having been locked in a button-eye, but with the button-eye removed; and Fig. 3, the complete device as attached to a button in fabric.

Again referring to the drawings, A is a fastener cut out of sheet "metal, ready for use without further manipulation, substantially of the form shown in Fig. 1, and it consists of the curvedarm a, from the cut edge of which extends the double-curved tongue a, which is of a uniform width its entire length, forming the loop 0' and elbow d, and terminating in the end cl. Between the point 0 of the arm a and the elbow d is a space, 0, wide enough to permit the passage of a button-eye in attaching it to fabric. The point a of the arm a is angled, as shown, to assist in look ing the loop of the fastener when attached to a button. The ends b and d are rounded, to

present smooth surface to the fabric whenattached thereto.

In attaching a button to fabric with my improved fastener, the button-eye is first protruded through the fabric from the outer side. The end d of the tongue is then carried through the button-eye until the loop 6 rests therein. An upward strain is then brought to bear on the button, which causes the ends b and cl of the fastener to be pressedhard against the under surface of the fabric, and the strain on the button, being continued, causes the points a and d to approach each other until they meet, forming a closed loop around the button-eye at equal distance between the two ends I) and d, as fullyshown in Fig. 3. The angled end a, on coming in contact with the elbow d, tends to press it closely against the under surface of the fabric, andthe two parts are firmly held together, forming a brace to prevent the ends b and d from straightening out and it will be observed that the greater I the strain on the button-eye the more closely the two parts 0 and cl are held together, the ends I) and (Z and the endc, with the elbow d, andarm a, forming, when attached to fabric ready for use, a practically one-piece bar with the loop 6 in the center.

My invention possesses great advantages over other similar devices, inthat it is cheaply and easily made, requiring but a single operationto out the complete fastenerready for use, and combines a great degree of strength and durability, and isnot liable to become detached by use.

Having described my invention, what I claim is l. The herein-described button-fastener A, consisting of the curved arm a, and doubleeurved tongue at, arranged and adapted for use substantially as described.

2. The herein-described button-fastener A, consisting of the curved arm a, rounded at one end and angled at the other, from the cut edge of which extends the doublecurved tongue a, cut to a uniform width its entire length, and adapted for use substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANKLIN A. SMITH, JR.

Witnesses:

E. FISHER, CHARLES GREENE. 

